[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 19778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10515]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Collection of Water Delivery Data for the Operation of Irrigation 
Projects and Systems: Proposed Collection of Water Delivery Data; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that Bureau of Indian 
Affairs (BIA) is planning to submit the following proposed Information 
Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): 
Collection of Water Delivery Data for the Operation of Irrigation 
Projects and Systems. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and 
approval, BIA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the 
proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 1997, to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
Division of Water and Land, Mail Stop 4513-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested persons may obtain a copy 
of the ICR including the Water Request form without charge by 
contacting Ross Mooney at 202-208-5480, or facsimile number: 202-219-
1255, or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order for irrigators to receive water 
deliveries, information is needed by the BIA to operate and maintain 
its irrigation projects and fulfill reporting requirements. Section 
171.7 of 25 CFR part 171, [Irrigation] Operation and Maintenance, 
specifies the information collection requirement. Water users must 
apply for water delivery. The information to be collected includes: 
name; water delivery location; time and date of requested water 
delivery; duration of water delivery; rate of water flow; number of 
acres irrigated; crop statistics; and other operational information 
identified in the local administrative manuals. Collection of this 
information is currently authorized under an emergency approval by OMB 
(OMB Control Number 1076-0141). The BIA is proceeding with this public 
comment period as the first step in obtaining a normal information 
collection clearance from OMB.
    All information is to be collected annually from each water user. 
Annual reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 40 minutes for each response for 
10,300 respondents, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
Thus, the total annual reporting and record keeping burden for this 
collection is estimated to be 6,867 hours.
    The BIA solicits comments in order to:
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the bureau, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) Evaluate the bureau's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond.
    A summary of the public comments will be included in BIA's 
submission of the information collect request.
    The following information is provided for the information 
collection:
    Title: Water Request.
    OMB Control Number: 1076-0141.
    Summary: This information collection is needed to operate and 
maintain BIA irrigation projects and systems and meet our reporting 
requirements.
    Frequency of Collection: On Occasion.
    Description of Respondents: BIA Irrigation Project Water Users.
    Total Annual Responses: 51,500.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,867 hours.

    Dated: April 17, 1997.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-10515 Filed 4-22-97; 8:45 am]
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